William Sponseller

William (Bill) John Sponseller, a longtime resident of Wayne, PA, died of cancer on July 24, 2014.



Born in Canton, OH, on September 25, 1926, Bill was the son of the late Lester and Martha Sponseller. He grew up in Canton, OH, along with 5 beloved siblings David Sponseller (the late Mary), Jean Joliat (Pierre), and Joan Celento (the late James). He was preceded in death by Rosemary Sponseller and Marjorie Warstler (the late Blaine).



Bill attended Lincoln High School in Canton, OH, excelling academically while working to help support his family. After discharge from active service in the US Navy during WWII, Bill attended Illinois Institute of Technology, thanks to the GI Bill, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He was first employed after college by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a Civil Engineer and remained in the industry throughout his career, finally retiring from Amtrak in 1991.



Bill married the love of his life, Dorothy Louise Keffler, of Canton, OH, on February 18, 1950. Little did they know where the railroad would take them on their journey through life together! Bill and Dorothy moved 7 times over 16 years throughout Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania. In 1966, they finally moved to Wayne, PA and made it their home for over 40 years. They had 6 cherished children Nancy Carroll, Janet Focht, Carol Delaney (David), Michael Sponseller, John Sponseller (Julia), and David Sponseller (Carol). Together they experienced the tremendous sorrow of losing a child, when Michael died of complications related to AIDS in 1991. They also witnessed the great joy of welcoming 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren into the world.



During his time with the railroad, Bill worked on numerous noteworthy efforts with increasing responsibility, linking coal mines to steel mills in the Ohio River Valley. As Bill progressed to Divisional and Chief Engineer, he took on responsibility with larger projects associated with Amtrak's Northeast Corridor Improvement Project. Upon retirement, he started a consulting job related to the building of the EuroStar Channel Tunnel, moving them yet again to London, England, for a 3 year period. When that project ended and they returned home, Bill still found a way to keep the railroad alive in his life. He and Dorothy traveled across the country to Elder Hostels, teaching others about railroad history and always engaging the crowd with a collection of classic train tunes! Bill was also a Member Emeritus of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association.



After downsizing and selling the family home in Wayne, Bill and Dorothy briefly settled in Devon, PA. It was during that time that Bill lost his beloved Dorothy to her own battle with cancer. He later moved to Shannondell in Audubon, PA, where he was a resident until his death.



Bill possessed a great love for and devotion to his Roman Catholic upbringing and faith. Upon moving to Wayne, Bill became active in his parish at St. Katharine of Siena. He and Dorothy would selflessly give of their time to spend overnight stays at St. Katharine's with the poor and homeless of the area, lending a sympathetic ear and providing a comforting presence to those in need.



Bill's interests in life included activities such as working in the yard and garden, enjoying fun times with the Bridge Club, golfing at the Glenhardie Club, singing, travelling, and spending quality time with family. Bill also enjoyed applying his engineering skills on the home front by 'recruiting' sons and neighbors for 'minor' projects like building a basketball court, constructing an in-ground swimming pool, and designing an underground labyrinth of pipes and sump pumps to drain the basement and back yard.



His true joy, however, came from time spent with others. Bill made it a priority to stay connected with extended family that lived scattered across the country and visited them often. In return, his door was always open to family and friends from all corners of the world. Bill always gave you his undivided and genuinely interested attention when you spoke with him. He often enjoyed recounting stories from years gone by, and a visit to his home just wasn't complete until he found a reason to pull out a map to give geographical context to his tale. Bill possessed humility, integrity, and altruism that was combined with an entertaining sense of humor that was loved and admired by many.



Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Monday, July 28, 2014 7:00-9:00 PM The Donohue Funeral Home, 366 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA (610) 989-9600 and Tuesday, July 29, 2014 9:00-9:50 AM St. Katharine of Siena Church, Lancaster and Aberdeen Avenues, Wayne, PA followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. Interment Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.



In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill's memory can be made to Calcutta House, 1601 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130 which provides housing and other supportive and compassionate services for people living with AIDS.